Android apps of the day [March 31, 2012]

Android has over 450,000 apps. With so many apps out there, app discovery (aka finding new and useful apps) is extremely difficult. With our Android Apps of the Day[1] initiative, dotTech aims to change that. Everyday we post three apps, allowing our readers to discover new apps, daily. Enjoy! [Subscribe to our Android section to never miss an article: RSS Feed[2] | E-mail[3]]

Apps for March 31, 2012

Root Uninstaller

[6]On Android there are two types of apps: apps you download and apps that come with your device. Apps you download are easily uninstallable. Apps that come with your device (“system apps” or “bloatware”), however, typically cannot be uninstalled. Root Uninstaller is an app that changes all that. Simply put, Root Uninstaller allows users to uninstall all apps on their devices, whether that be downloaded or system apps.Using Root Uninstaller is very easy — simply run it and select the apps you want to uninstall. System apps are shown in red while downloaded apps are shown in white. As the name indicates, your device must be rooted to use Root Uninstaller.

iStoryBooks

[9]iStoryBooks is an app that allows you to download story books for children. Titles include classics like Cinderella and Snow White and other titles, too, such as The World of Trucks. You must download the individual books you desire so you need access to an Internet connection, but once you download a book you can read it offline. All books include color pictures and text with the option to read the books in “Move Mode” which flips through the pages automatically as opposed to you manually doing it and/or have the book “Read to me” which narrates the book as opposed to you or your child reading it.

If you are worried about your children having access to book you don’t want, don’t worry. iStoryBooks has a “Library” where all downloaded books are stored. If you don’t want your child to have access to a book, remove it from the library and unless they are old enough to do addition, they won’t be able to download it again.

Turn Off The Lights

[12]Turn Off The Lights is a simple app that does one thing and one thing only: turns off your device’s screen and locks your device without having to press the Power button. With Turn Off The Lights you can turn off your device’s screen and lock your device by either long pressing the Search button (if your device has one) or adding a “Turn Off” icon to your homescreen and tapping that.

Take note before you have use Turn Off The Lights you must enable it (run Turn Off The Lights from your app tray and there will be a button to enable it) and you must disable Turn Off The Lights before you uninstall it. Also note Turn Off The Lights does not work on Ice Cream Sandwich.

dotTechies: We have tested all the apps listed above. However, Android Apps of the Day articles are not intended as “reviews” but rather as “heads-up” to help you discover new apps. Always use your best judgement when downloading apps, such as trying trial/free versions before purchasing paid apps, if applicable.